Christmas Island Stories: The Muslim community of Christmas Island

It’s 3:45am on Christmas Island, dawn hasn’t yet broken and 37-year-old Norazian Abdul-Halim is up and about preparing food for her family to eat.
“Usually, the moms or the ladies of the house are first up to reheat food or cook before the sun rises,” says Norazian, more commonly called Nor.
The pre-dawn meal is known as Sahūr and it’s a morning ritual during the Islamic month of Ramadan, which sees Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset.
“It’s usually a small meal,” Nor says.
“Some people have just a glass of milk and dates, but there are some people who eat a full meal before sunrise to prepare for the fast."
Ramadan is holiest month of the year for Muslims and Nor says it’s a beautiful time on the Island for spiritual reflection and growth, self-control, and empathy for those who are less fortunate.
“It’s also a time to spend with family and friends and a time we encourage generosity,” she says.
The Islamic month of Ramadan is timed with the moon cycle and usually falls around April on the western calendar.
Muslims believe that during this month, God gave the Prophet Muhammad the Qu'ran, Islam's holy book.
Nor says the religion on Island is strong, which keeps her community strong. She hopes the Christmas Island Ramadan and Hari Raya traditions will continue to be passed down and celebrated through the generations for many, many years to come.
“They say Ramadan is a time to empty the stomach to feed the soul, I want future generations of Christmas Island Muslims to continue to do just that and grow and keep our religion alive for years to come,” Nor says.